Many years
back, I received a question about finishing a novel when
other projects call. All these years later, I still think
the question and answer bear repeating.
Lori - I have a manuscript, such as it is, that just
needs one last go through and it (hopefully) will be ready
to send off. Here's the thing...I have these other stories
banging at my brain to be worked on. But I know I have to
get the first one finished. How do you all handle it when
you got multiple stories running around in your head and
you need to focus on one? Or am I a freak well on my way
to becoming the next Sybil?
Dear Sybil,
This is a common problem among madwomen in the attic. But,
may I warn you not to berate yourself lest one of your personalities
should grow impatient and attack one of the others. Believe
me, it is difficult to work if someone has plucked out one
or both of your eyes. But never fear, there *is* a key to
let yourself out of this particular attic if only you can
get the attic shutters open enough to let in some light
so that you may see a glint on the skeleton key and know
where it lies.
Snatch it up and run for the lock! You will find something
amazing. Written upon the side of the key are these words:
Go Forth and Multi-Task.
First you work for a few hours - or a day or two - on the
new project, busily writing up ideas, short scenes, hunches
about beginning, middle, and end, and so forth. You may
wish to organize a notebook or a 3-ring binder so you have
a place to jot periodic notes or include bits of research.
Then after you have rested sufficiently, you simply shift
back over to the odious older project that MUST be finished,
even though now it is exactly like a giant weight around
your ankles as you try to stay afloat in the Sea of Creativity.
It *must* be completed, so you have to pay it at least a
certain amount of diligent attention periodically.
Remember that the thing that separates the hobbyist from
the professional is that while the hobbyist often finishes
a draft, she doesn't do all the steps needed to bring the
book to published fruition. The professional is the one
who finishes the book, revises, works on edits, and proofs
the whole thing - and then is ready to rinse, lather, repeat
at least one more time when the publisher gets their hands
on it.
You may grow to despise, abhor, hate, and/or run screaming
from the older project, but that is why the Story Goddess
gives you new ideas - to tickle and tantalize your tired
brain and to give you hope that although you can no longer
see the forest for the trees in the old manuscript (in fact,
you can't even see the dirt for the dog poop!), you will
at least know that there is somewhere new to travel, something
new to consider, some other realm possibly more interesting
and challenging to recharge and energize you . . . if only
you finish up the damnable old thing and get it out the
door.
You will be rewarded if you can do that. You will be soundly
beaten about the head by the other members of my Merry Little
Band if you don't. So get to work! Work hard . . . but don't
forget to play a little when you can't stand it anymore.
Tongue in Cheek,
Lori
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